These are indeed tough economic times: companies are closing, employees are getting laid off, and prices and retirement plans are going up and down like a roller coaster. Therefore, staying employed is the top priority for everyone nowadays. Besides, who can blame them? Nobody likes thinking about unemployment.
If you ask me, I can never go a day just sitting free, doing nothing. Not only does unemployment put your financial security at risk, but it also takes a huge shot to your identity and sense of self-worth, especially if you get laid off by the most renowned company in the US, General Electric Corporation. Yes, I did get laid off by GE!
To be honest, I think it’s my mistake. I should have seen it coming when GE was cherry-picking a few people from each department. I tried to survive as long as I could, but in the end I did get kicked out of the company along with 199 other honest white-collar workers. It was September 30th, 2013 when the layoff was announced at the Schenectady-based Power & Water Division.
However, I didn't know they would kick me out as well. I had always given my best to the company and worked day and night to prove myself. But what did I get in return? Nothing! An announcement that stated the company wanted to reduce costs across the Power and Water Business to retain “its competitiveness” in the industry.
Surprising, isn't it? From 3,000 total workers in the factory, I was one in 200 who the company decided to lay off, regardless of the years of experience I had in the field. But what even more depressing is that before the layoff, the company had hired 450 new production employees. In short, I got kicked out so that others could join the company and bring more profits!
Like most people, the news took me into a kind of paralysis. The thought of starting over again and making my way to the top AGAIN was just killing me. However, as time passed I gathered the strength to get back on my feet and now I’m doing well once again. But, I still face a constant fear of being laid off…